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Question to religious people: why do you believe?

I grew up in an orthodox jewish family in Toronto. We strictly followed all the laws of judaism such as pray daily, keep kosher and observe sabbath. When I was growing up, we were maybe a 7 on a scale of 1-10, 10 being fanatic. The minutia of rules lived in every moment of every day. There were specific blessings to say when you ate, slept, went to the bathroom. Rules about what women may not do, say, be. Rules for men too, but much less limited.

For me, it was too much. I defected from that world 20 years ago. (It was hard.) My parents and siblings have only become more fanatical as the years go by, they’re all at a 9 by now. We do speak to each other and get along OK.

But I have trouble understanding how they or anyone can truly be happy in that life.

So I ask, why do YOU believe?
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hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M
I came to faith in Jesus in my late 20s. I was raised atheist and was quite fanatical about it then one day I encountered Jesus. I was walking across a field on a warm summer day when the need to kneel and ask Jesus to forgive me came so overwhelming I did just that. In that instant I knew that Jesus was alive and His Spirit had taken up residence in my heart. I have never wavered in that faith and it has stood me in good stead.
Akimbo75 · 46-50, F
@hippyjoe1955 sounds powerful
hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M
@Akimbo75 it certainly changed my life. From secular hater of all things religious to Christian Pastor.